Bangladesh batsman Najmul Hossain Shanto has been dropped from the T20I team for the forthcoming three-match series with Sri Lanka. The announcement comes just days after he stepped down as Test skipper following a 1-0 series loss in Sri Lanka.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has named a 16-member squad for the series, which runs from July 10 to 16, with Shanto’s omission among five other major alterations. Shanto’s T20I performance has been disappointing throughout 2024. He averaged 18.84 in 21 matches this year, with only one fifty. After relinquishing the T20I captaincy in January to concentrate on his batting, his problems persisted. Despite being a member of the squad for the May series against the UAE and Pakistan, he only played one of the six matches.
In his place, left-handed starter Mohammad Naim has been called up. Naim has been in blistering form on the local circuit, topping the BPL and NCL T20 rankings with 827 runs at an average of 37.59 and a strike rate of 140.40. Apart from the southpaw, Soumya Sarkar, Hasan Mahmud, Tanvir Islam, Nahid Rana, and Khaled Ahmed, all members of the previous T20I squad, have been omitted.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Saifuddin has returned from a year-long sabbatical, following a successful domestic season following his leave from cricket. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman have also returned after recovering from injuries. Shoriful Islam, who was nursing a groin niggle, has kept his place. Nasum Ahmed has taken over as spin department head from Tanvir Islam.
Najmul Hossain Shanto publicly announces Test captaincy resignation
Shanto stepped down as Test captain after the 1-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka. He publicly announced his resignation, stating that he had already informed the board. Initially appointed as an all-format captain following Shakib Al Hasan’s injury in late 2023, Shanto had a mixed tenure. Bangladesh won four out of 14 Tests under him, including historic wins over New Zealand and Pakistan.
His form also improved in Tests during his leadership stint, averaging 36.24 compared to 29.83 as a regular player. However, after being replaced as ODI captain by Mehidy Hasan Miraz earlier this year, many questioned his long-term role in the leadership group. With Mehidy now leading ODIs and Litton Das heading the T20I side, the Test captaincy is open ahead of their next red-ball assignment in October against Ireland.
Bangladesh’s T20I squad for Sri Lanka series:
Litton Kumar Das (Captain), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim Sheikh, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain Patwari, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin.
India
